EngineeringManufacturing EngineeringMaterials EngineeringComputer-integrated ManufacturingManufacturing SystemsProduct DesignDesign For AssemblyDesign For ManufacturingDigital FactoryFabrication MaterialsManufacturing TechnologyRapid PrototypingAdvanced Manufacturing TechnologiesDesign Automation For FabricationFabricationPhysical Prototyping
This paper describes the efforts of several universities to investigate technologies and materials that could lead to general-use, compact fabbers machines that rapidly create useful items on demand from computer-generated design specifications. Compact and yet capable fabbers point the way toward a future where the term "online shopping" takes on a whole new meaning. Although many technical hurdles must be cleared before home fabbing can become a reality, it's already possible to see its huge implications for engineers, designers and distributors.